Lura Lynn Ryan hospitalized in 'grave' condition

Staff report

The wife of imprisoned former Governor George Ryan has been in the hospital since Friday and is in "grave" condition, according to Ryan's lawyer.

Lura Lynn Ryan, who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, is in Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee after reportedly having problems breathing and is now breathing with the help of a respirator, said Jim Thompson, Ryan's lawyer and a former Illinois governor himself.

George Ryan is serving prison time in Indiana on a corruption conviction. Ryan's lawyers tried unsuccessfully on Friday to petition an appelate court to allow Ryan to leave prison and visit his wife in the hospital but the court refused the request, said Thompson.